Field Training Exercise ... the highlight of DINFOS

The Basic Public Affairs Specialist Course (BPASC) Field Training Exercise (FTX) is the culmination of the course news writing and public affairs functional areas. [Editor: It's the first of two FTXs students go through, the second occuring near graduation.] The students are put into a simulated war zone in Afghanistan and must use the skills they have learned in those areas. I felt like everything I learned finally made perfect sense.

Story by Seaman Recruit Zachary D. Allan


The BPASC class, the first half of BMCSC which is integrated with the other services, begins the day by meeting up to discuss the day's events and to give everyone tasks. The site is on the other side of the base from DINFOS to give the feeling of a Forward Operating Base.


SN Briscoe gauges the time she has left to complete her task. There are set deadlines since FOBs need to push out information ASAP.


SN Meineke works on writing an external news release. The class is divided into four cells, spread over two tents with two work stations in each.


This is many of the sailors' first times eating Meals Ready to Eat. Everyone is warned by NCOs attending the class to watch out for the cheese omelette MRE.


SN Wakefield enjoys a chicken salsa MRE. Each MRE is equipped with a self heating device.


SN Carey puts forth an earnest effort to gnaw his way through a cookie from an MRE.
Eventually, he succeeded.


After a day of hard work, the class retires to the duty vans. Unlike the BMCSC FTX, the first one in BPASC is not overnight.

We march to the ends of the earth...at least to DINFOS.

The Navy Detachment forms up on the grinder before marching to DINFOS. We march every Tuesday and Thursday.


SR Bramham posts as a road guard while the detachment marches on the road. Safety is of utmost importance in the Navy.


The formation performs a column left march around the Marine Detachment. Some sailors carry two bags (one in front and in back) to help the sailors who take on road guard and other duties in the formation.


Everyone drops their bags before sounding off in front of DINFOS.


SA King, who leads the formation, sounds off to the formation. This is extremely motivating and a great way to start the day.


The detachment sounds off back to SA King for all the other services to hear.


Here's a marching video shot and edited by MCSN Perreault.

Congrats to BMCSC 010-10!

MCSN Slaughter before his graduation with class BMCSC 010-10.


The graduation room is packed with family and friends of the graduates.


The guest speaker is the Admiral Moynihan, the Chief of Information.


The class shares a slide show comprised of work through their course.


MCSN Johndro awaits his graduation certificate.


Candid shot while waiting for the class to form up.